King's Legal Clinic project nominated for Pro Bono Award

A collaborative project between the King’s Legal Clinic and the Zacchaeus 2000 Trust (Z2K) has been shortlisted in the ‘Best contribution by a team of students’ category at the ‘Law Works and Attorney General’s Student Pro Bono Awards 2020.’

The Awards celebrate the best pro bono activities undertaken by law students and law schools throughout the UK.

The project has seen six King’s Law students working with anti-poverty charity Z2K to provide advice and representation to vulnerable clients appealing decisions about their welfare benefits. Clients include those with disabilities, multiple health needs and on low incomes.

Of the nine appeals heard so far that Law students have been involved in, four have been won, one is subject to an onward appeal and decisions are remaining on the others.

By taking part in the project, students have developed an awareness of legal and social issues, and the challenges some of the most vulnerable members of society face in accessing justice:

I find the impact of the project and working with Z2K and the King’s Legal Clinic, invaluable. It is a privilege for any law student to have these real-life experiences whereby we are able to add value to our local community and to help and support those in their times of need. I felt the impact when we won our case and the client was filled with relief, as it made me realise how their life will be changed for the better. Having the support of the Z2K Trust and the King’s Legal Clinic also gave me the confidence to work on this project independently, knowing that they will provide me with valuable and experienced feedback after they reviewed my drafts. My mentor, for example, asked me useful questions that would guide me in my future appointments with the client, which helped me improve the structure of our meetings. – Zishu (Rebecca) Ding studying Politics, Philosophy and Law LLB

The Award winners will be announced later this month.

About King’s Legal Clinic

King’s Legal Clinic sees our Law School students providing free legal advice to members of the public, as well as staff and other students at King’s. Students work under the supervision of qualified lawyers, interviewing clients, analysing their legal problems and researching the issues involved in their client’s case. The Clinic aims to give Law students the opportunity to serve their community, promote social justice and develop practical legal experience by working on live cases.